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The licence may specify the number of persons permitted to occupy the
house, and the terms (as to rent, repairs and other conditions) upon which it
may be occupied.
A local authority may purchase and retain for temporary accommodation a
house in respect of which the licence has been revoked or has ceased to have
effect.
SECTION 9 (Standard of fitness for human habitation) lays down a new standard
of fitness for human habitation. The provisions of Section 188 (4) of the
Housing Act, 1936, which previously gave only general guidance on this matter
are now repealed. Local Act provisions also cease to have effect in so far
as they specify defects by reason of which houses are deemed to be unfit.
By this section it is now enacted that "IN determining for any of the
purposes of the principal act whether a house is unfit for human habitation,
regard shall be had to its condition in respect of the following matters. that
IS TO SAY:-
(a) repair;
(b) stability;
(c) freedom from damp;
(d) natural lighting;
(e) ventilation;
(f) water supply;
(g) drainage and sanitary conveniences; and
(h) facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food and for the
disposal of waste water;
and the house shall be deemed to be unfit as aforesaid if and only if it is so
far defective in one or more of the said matters that it is not reasonably
suitable for occupation in that condition."
SECTION 11 (Houses let in lodgings; securing fitness for occupation by number
of families accommodated) replaces the power to make by-laws relating to
houses let in lodgings or occupied by more than one family by a general power
to require an adequate provision of the services and amenities set out in
paragraphs (d) to (h) of section 9 (1), viz., natural lighting, ventilation,
water supply, drainage and sanitary conveniences, and facilities for storage,
preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal of waste water. The
local authority may serve a notice on the person having control of the house,
setting out the works which they consider necessary to make it suitable for
multiple occupation, and requiring him in default of carrying out the works to
take steps to reduce the number of people accommodated or of households or of
both. An appeal against a notice may be made to the county court.
Possession may be obtained, despite the provisions of the Rent and
Mortgage Interest Restrictions Acts, 1920 to 1939, in order to comply with a
requirement to reduce the occupancy. A person failing to comply with a
requirement of a notice served under this section by the local authority is
made liable to a fine on summary conviction,,
Provisions in general and local enactments conferring by-law-making
powers cease to have effect. (Consequential repeals in the general acts are
made by section 54 of and the Fifth Schedule to the Act).
SECTION 12 (Houses let in lodgings; prevention of overcrowding) replaces
the power to make by-laws fixing the number of persons who may occupy a house
let in lodgings or to more than one family. It empowers a local authority
where it appears that excessive numbers are being accommodated in such a house,
to serve on the occupier, or anyone having the control or management, a
notice stating the maximum number of persons who may use any room as sleeping
accommodation.
Special maxima may be fixed where some of the occupants are under such age
as may be specified in the notice.
Any person who contravenes any notice served on him under the section or